Hello Afra. When and where did you start playing football, in which leagues and with which coaches did you work?
I started playing football when I was 8 years old. My father already realized my desire for football and was looking for a club. I started playing with the men in the team of Numan Hoca, who is the current Coach of Yamanspor in Ataşehir. Shortly after, we met Taner Hodja and he was the head of Ataşehir's A Team at that time. I started training two days a week with my older sisters. When I first went there, I trained at a young age with many names such as Kader Hançer, Yağmur Uraz, Çiğdem Belci, who are indispensable for the current national team. That year, in a match against Beşiktaş, Taner Hodja took me to the field. Since I was very small until the match started, there was only one tracksuit that fit me and it was number 33.
Coach Taner recommended Arsenal Football School to us. When such developments suddenly occur, the excitement and determination within you increases even more. I spent about a year at Arsenal Football School and they added a lot to me. I had the opportunity to work with my teachers Sarp Yiğit, Gökay Kavalcı, Bahar Özgüvenç and Necmi Keskin. Sarp Hodja took care of all of us in detail. He would make the match take place, for example, he would stop it at the slightest mistake. The training was very fun with Gökay Hodja and Necmi Hodja. Afterwards, we went to the auditions of FC Barcelona. Of course, there was a lot of excitement in the first auditions. At that time, there was Marc Hodja in Barça. Afterwards, Albert Hodja came. I trained at Barça for about 6 years. There, they were teaching football ethics as well as football. I also received an award in a camp I attended at Barça. I may have been young, but the pride at that moment was completely different.
I had the opportunity to work with many teachers such as Burak Kaman, Burak Çelik Onur Doğrut, Emre Yasin Coşkun, Ferhan Pıçak, Dilara Arslan, Albert Metal Mundet, Mustafa Özkan and Baran Hoca. We met Utku Yurtbil and Onur Dibo when they were translating for Albert Hodja at Barça. Barça was truly my home, not just words. In fact, it was a place I never wanted to leave. FC Barcelona was a completely different place for me and it gave me so much. From there, I was participating in individual training with my teacher Aşkın Gürel. I would also like to thank my teachers Sercan Gürlük, Mehmet Sefa Alçelik, Murat Dokumacı and Sabur Eser, who helped me with individual studies.
I got my license at Dudullu Spor. We won many trophies with my teacher Ekrem Taslak. I broke my arm in a tournament in the junior category. I had to take a break for a while. Then we continued from where we left off. After Dudullu, I returned to Ataşehir, where I first started. Thanks to Coach Taner, we understood exactly what professionalism is like and what impact even the conversation in the locker room before the match has. The first season I left Dudullu, TKF made a decision that the 2007 players could not play. But despite this, they took me to many away games.
How did you get selected for the National Team?
I participated in the National Team selections across Türkiye. Both Dudullu and Ataşehir recommended me to them. I was very excited when my father told me that I could participate in the National Team camp. The facility was very nice and we were doing a lot of double training anyway. During that period, I had the opportunity to meet many friends. I learned what the National Team Jersey meant. I could already play in the next season. I was trying very hard to show myself in training. Also, since I was the youngest in my team, my sisters were very supportive. Nagehan Akşan, Büşra Taşkın, Elif Karaarslan. I met many important people such as Elif Ataol, Rabia Balaban, Hilal Subay and Deva Sivrikaya.
When you were only 15 years old, you played for Ataşehir Belediyespor, one of the Super League teams, against Kireçburnu, Fenerbahçe and Galatasaray. Then can you tell us about how these surprising events developed?
I played in the first 11 in the first match of the season, Kireçburnu and Ataşehir match. Coach Taner called the day before the match and said, "Don't get excited, I will start you in the first 11 tomorrow, I trust you, girl." But of course it is impossible not to get excited. He also talked to me on the match day. And in the rival team, there was the coach who coached me in Barça. When the ball came to my feet, he congratulated me on every pass I made, even though he was the opposing team's coach. Then, in the match we played against Fenerbahçe, I entered the game in the second half and the match was broadcast live. They announced me as Afra Yılmaz, the youngest player on the field.
That moment gives you great pride. You know, I'm trying, I'm trying, but it's not in vain, you think. I entered the game and my only duty was to mark Fenerbahçe's captain Fatma Kara, so to speak, not to let her breathe. I ran a lot that day. Thanks to sister Fatma, she doesn't stay still. But he was a real captain, he was guiding the team very well. Even though we were rivals, he would occasionally give me information about set pieces. That match was very tiring and yet a beautiful match for me. I couldn't play in the match we played with Galatasaray at Fulya facilities, but I signed my first signature there. The match was over and we were about to leave the facility. A few of the fans asked for autographs. Of course, I was a little worried that the teacher would get angry. Then I quickly signed it. Then one of my brothers wanted to take a photo with me. We just retreated, I give the phone, Taner Hodja says “Afraa!” he called out. Your brother's phone also fell. I would like to apologize to that brother again. But it was a beautiful moment. I gave my first autograph and photo there. Then, of course, I ran to see coach Taner. I was transferred to Dudullu in the second half of that season.Dudullu was literally like a football factory in terms of training diversity and infrastructure. I already knew most of the players. That's why I didn't have a hard time adapting. I'm still continuing there right now. But the season is over and while we were playing preparation matches for U-17, my cruciate ligaments ruptured in that match. I am waiting for my surgery day right now. I will continue stronger after the surgery.
What is your biggest goal in football?
My biggest goal in football is to ensure permanence in the National Team and to play in a good club abroad and become an important player that everyone respects and loves.
